Schools closed as snow and weather warnings issued across UK

On Thursday, temperatures plummeted to below minus 13C (8.6F) for the second consecutive night, prompting the closure of numerous schools across the UK. Widespread travel disruptions are expected, with train cancellations and warnings in effect for various regions due to the continuing cold snap.

The lowest recorded temperature, minus 13.6C (7.5F), occurred at Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands, slightly warmer than the previous night's minus 14C (6.8F), marking the coldest night of the winter thus far. Northern Scotland, the Orkney and Shetland Islands face an amber warning for snow, with forecasts predicting up to 20cm (8 inches) of snow. This warning, lasting until 6 pm on Thursday, indicates potential disruptions to travel, road closures, power outages, and a risk to life and property.

All schools in Orkney and Shetland remained closed on Thursday, with some shut since Monday. Around 130 schools in Aberdeenshire were also closed, and others experienced delayed openings.


Yellow snow and ice warnings cover parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout the day, with additional wintry outbreaks expected in the north and northwest of the UK over the next 24 hours. Shorter warnings for snow and ice are in place for Wales, southwest England, eastern England, and parts of southeast England until noon on Thursday.

Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly anticipates a substantial increase in snowfall over the next couple of days, particularly in northern Scotland, with the amber warning area potentially receiving an additional 15-20cm (6-8 inches). Snow drifts and "temporary blizzard conditions" are also likely due to strong winds.

Scotland is under travel warnings, with several rail lines affected, causing delays for Great Northern, Thameslink, ScotRail, and South Western Railway. National Rail cautioned that wintry weather could impact other train journeys on Thursday.

In Northern Ireland, people are advised to avoid non-essential travel due to limited gritting amid zero-degree temperatures caused by the region's largest public sector strike.

A frosty night is forecasted for Friday, with lows of minus 10C (14F) in some areas. The weekend is expected to bring milder, wet, and windy conditions.